Senate District 14 Republicans Endorse Perryman, Jose, and Ek; Party Leaders Cite Surge of New Delegates

(KNSI) – Republicans in Senate District 14 gathered Saturday at Jubilee Worship Center in St. Cloud, endorsing candidates for state senate and two House districts and drawing what party leaders described as a strong turnout of energized new delegates.

The convention, chaired by SD 14 Basic Political Operating Unit (BPOU) Chair Paula Christensen, drew 101 voting delegates. Bernie Perryman received the State Senate endorsement unopposed, earning a unanimous vote. In the House races, John Jose won the endorsement for House District 14A on the first ballot, defeating St. Cloud City Council Member Mike Conway. Sue Ek also won on the first ballot for House District 14B against Wayne Boyce.

Christensen told KNSI the level of participation stood out compared to past conventions. “We had a lot of people want to participate that were new delegates, a lot of new delegates, so new to the process. We had a lot of discussion. We had a lot of people interested in candidates.”

Several prominent Republicans made appearances. Congressman Tom Emmer addressed the crowd, declaring the party would “kick the snot out of Democrats this year” and taking aim at Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Emmer also took a lighthearted jab at State Senate candidate Aric Putnam, noting that Putnam spells his first name differently than the traditional spelling of “Eric.”

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, Kristin Robbins, and Royce White also addressed delegates. Former longtime Democrat Steve Wenzel appeared on behalf of fellow former Democrat-turned-Republican Tad Jude, who is running for Secretary of State.

Christensen said the hot-button issues driving Republican enthusiasm this cycle are government spending, education, and personal freedom. “I think people were reacting a lot to, obviously, fraud, waste, and abuse,” she said. “They were reacting to kids in the schools, we need to get our kids learning more. They were reacting to the message of freedom and turning our state back to basics.”

She also noted an unusual surge in delegate interest heading into the congressional district and state conventions, saying it signals strong grassroots investment in selecting a Republican gubernatorial candidate.

KNSI’s Dan “The Ox Ochsner” contributed to this story.

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